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Smoking: The Causes, Effects and Control Measures of Smoking

Students Name

Course Code Professor's Name 01 July 2012

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Outline. I. Introduction A. Definition of the term smoking,

B. Types of smokers.

C. World trend of smoking II. How active smoker abuse passive smokers.
A. Children and infants

B. Passive smoking in adults C. Passive smoking in social environments III. Decreasing amount of active and passive smokers.
A. Individual measures of reducing smoking

B. Communal measures of reducing smoking

C. Measures of the tobacco companies

D. Measures by the governments. IV. Conclusion.

A. Statistics supporting the thesis statement

B. Summary C. Agreement with the statement

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Smoking is a type of substance abuse, which involves the inhalation and exhalation of fumes from burning tobacco or cannabis in form cigars, cigarettes and pipes. Therefore, a smoker is a person who is involved in smoking. Basically, there are two types of smokers i.e, Passive and active smokers. A person who willingly takes a cigarette, for pleasure, to reward himself, or after persuasion by different adverts and peer group influence is an active smoker. On the other hand passive smokers are involuntary smokers who breathe contaminated air containing
carcinogenic inhalants from an 'active' smoker. Until 1970s people didn't imagine of the

existence of passive smokers, who were at risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related illnesses just like active smokers. But determined scientific researches later revealed that passive smoking is dangerous to both adults and childrens health in the todays world. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center daily journal (ScienceDaily 2005) has revealed that tobacco consumption is the largest cause of preventable deaths in Europe, causing 80 000 deaths per year, out of this 19000 deaths are caused by passive smoking. Most researches have clearly indicated that pregnant women who are Passive smokers extend the effects to unborn infants. These effects may trigger abnormalities to the foetus, limiting the chances of their survival and lifelong susceptibility to diseases like cancer. Science Daily (2005) referred to a case where Dr Stephen Grant and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh in the U.S. found a smoke-induced mutation in an oncogene, a gene which transforms normal cells into

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cancerous tumours and a conclusive analysis that the Smoking induced mutation may have adverse effect on unborn babies. Subsequent finding have Recorded that children are victims of abuse by adults who are active smokers because they have no control over them. Especially if the parents are smokers, children are most likely to be victims of abuse because they are mostly inside the smoke-filled house and they lack confidence of challenging their parents or elders who smoke in the house. Studies in the 1990s showed that many European children, mainly from Finland and Netherlands live in smoky homes. These children are prone to Respiratory diseases and middle ear infections. (Giorgos 2010) Adult non-smokers may be at risk wherever they intermingle with active smoker, for example, in workplaces where workers smoke freely, at home and social gatherings like pubs and restaurants. Giorgos (2010), Warns that If passive smokers continues to be abused, they will equally be at risk of lung cancer, coronary heart disease and reduced lung function. Even community health workers who are mandated to take care of smokers in their homes or rehabilitation centres, may not be safe . Now that smoking has become a health concern, there is an urgent need, to ensure that these cases are drastically reduced. Individuals, societies and governments must take an initiative to control the active smokers. There is need to enlighten People of all ages, on the repercussions of smoking. Smoking levels should be reduced in the house while at home. It is advisable for parents to hold cigarettes away their children, partner or a friend who is around, It is good etiquette to be as far possible from children. Ensure that there is Improved ventilation, this

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will minimize the direct effect of smoke. If there is a fan at home, switch it on because it will boost the work of ventilation by blowing the smoke away from children. The absence of fans at homes should not be an excuse, parents can just let window wide open while smoking and after, so as to let the smoke out of the room easily. As explained in ActiveEurope, the addicted elder try to keep the environment healthy, they must learn to live with the reality that tobacco is a threat to society's health, so the most appropriate approach is that a tobacco free lifestyle should become the norm and made attractive for young people. (Tobacco) In the society, the community workers' sensitization programs can be

organized through youth events and youth targeted activities. Youths need to be discouraged completely from smoking. In Europe community workers are charged with the responsibility of raising awareness to the society on the devastating social and health impact of smoking. Most institutions have gone an extra mile of raising awareness in schools and colleges. They have been consulted in structuring a formal education curriculum with the core role of promoting healthy lifestyles for students. These approaches should be emulated throughout the world. In these programmes every country should motivate the youths to responsibly combat smoking. Because most countries are highly capitalized, cigarette industries should not be involved in any public education, because they cannot be trusted and may have a negative influence. They should however be encouraged to fund the programmes. Most towns especially in less economically developed countries (LEDCs) have not created smoke free zones, Therefore all government should compel local all authorities to set up these areas. Posters should be put spectacularly to warn

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against smoking in those areas. Strict legislation can also be put to punish the lawbreakers. The police should be on high alert to watch the law breakers. Let it be known that Smoking in public is a very serious matter because it is a contravention of non-smokers rights. Evidently, the cases of passive smokers are increasing ( tobacco) There should be a total ban on vending machines and internet sales of cigarettes. And shouldn't be sold to children younger than 18 years. A tobacco free environment in all public places, such as public transport, working places, educational facilities, health care facilities, entertainment facilities and public buildings; furthermore an effective smoking ban in all bars, restaurants and hotels should be introduced Smoking without leaving out public buses or even a private vehicle, until one is in an area where smoking is allowed. There is also a need to legalize and place a no-smoking signs smoking in social gatherings

To some extent it is advisable to include the tobacco industries in fight the smoking menace. In their advertisements they must mention an age limit or else they face a total ban. In their advertisements they must not use the picture of youths and children. This may help in discouraging youths who have been termed by (Mark W 2003) as the most susceptible victims. It is proven that tobacco is a gateway to alcohol and other drugs. Therefore, because a cigarette is a first step to further addiction, the tobacco industry should be prohibited from adding any other addictive substances to their products. Lastly tobacco should not be considered as ordinary agricultural product, therefore the government and industries should not subsidize farmers.

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In conclusion non smokers have been frequently abused; most governments, societies, and individuals have not taken enough precaution. For example in the UK, Forty-two per cent of children live in a household where at least one person smokes, These has led to 17 000 cases of children under the age of five are admitted to hospital due to passive smoking ailments. (Mark 2003 ) Parents, the society and nations must recognize that passive smoking is overwhelmingly increasing. Tobacco industries have no economic importance in a country, if their products lead to deadly diseases which are expensive and hard to heal. For example the cost of healing cancer patients cannot be compared to the profits obtained from a tobacco industry. From the researched evidence it is clearly shown that passive smoking is a major risk to most countries in the world. It causes lung cancer and heart disease and can affect body immunity hence exacerbating existing disease in both children and adults. Therefore It is important that we collectively aim to eliminate this risk or at least adopt harm-reduction techniques. This requires an appreciation that passive smoking patients are increasing. Works Cited Giorgos S. Metsios et al. Passive Smoking and the Development of Cardiovascular Disease in Children: A Systematic Review. Cardiology Research and Practice,21 Jul 2010.web. 19 Jul. 2012. Mark Wallace-Bell. The effects of passive smoking on adult and child health Nursing Times, 1 Dec. 2003.Web. 19 Jul 2012. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "Any Exposure To Tobacco Smoke During Pregnancy Is Risky." ScienceDaily, 26 Jul. 2005. Web. 18 Jul. 2012.

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Tobacco policy ActiveEurope, n.d. Web. 19 Jul 2012.